Home + Design

The Art of Holiday Design

Article and Photography by Alicia Hensley Holiday design is about creating an atmosphere that feels warm, welcoming, and meaningful. By engaging all five senses, you can transform your home into a truly enchanting and memorable holiday haven. Lighting is the easiest way to shift a space from everyday to magical. Mix soft candlelight with warm lamps and twinkle lights to create a glow that makes people want to linger. Then, bring in scent. A simmer pot of cinnamon and orange or a single...

Life + Culture

Christmas Traditions of Utah Celebrities

Article by Mike Bean As the festive holiday season approaches, some wonder how their favorite stars celebrate the holidays. Let's explore how a few of these Utah icons embrace the magic of the season.   Derek Hough For Derek Hough, Emmy-winning choreographer and dancer, Christmas is a time to reconnect with his roots, recharge, and enjoy the simple pleasures of family time away from the glare of the spotlight.  “That’s the time I kind of switch off, turn off and just chill,” he told Us...

Food + Beverage

Cracker Candy

'Tis the Season for a Sweet Treat Article and Photography by This family favorite is easy  and  delicious! ingredients: 1 1/2 sleeves saltine crackers 1 cup unsalted butter (two sticks) 1 cup brown sugar 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 2 cups milk chocolate chips Optional toppings: chopped pecans, crushed candy cane, whatever you want! directions: Step 1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and arrange saltines in a single layer, salted side up. Step 2.  In...

Style + Beauty

Scent Without Stress

The Story of Purple Duck Article by Abi Falin Horspool | Photography by Jen Fox Photography For years, Carrie Clark suffered from horrible headaches. She realized that they were more prevalent whenever she was around fragrance. As she told friends about the problem, many of them spoke up, saying they had noticed a similar issue.  One afternoon, Carrie was making candles with a granddaughter, and she had the thought to look into what exactly was in traditional fragrances. “I started looking...

Education

The Ripple Effect of Warmth

AAI Students Connect Science with Service Article by Abi Falin Horspool | Photography by American Academy of Innovation For one sixth-grade class at South Jordan’s American Academy of Innovation, learning about heat transfer became an opportunity to spread real warmth in their community. This fall, Landon Leak is teaching math, science, and language arts. His class read The Lions of Little Rock , a story about breaking down social barriers amid segregation in the 1950s. While the students...

Arts + Culture

Local Holiday Performances

Article and Photography by Looking for a great concert or performance to go to this holiday season? We've compiled a list of just a few of the events happening in the area this month.   Elf: The Musical Location: Draper Historic Theatre, Draper Dates: November 28–December 20 Time: 2 PM, 7 PM (depends on date) Cost: $15 per child under 12, $20 per adult Watch as the story of Buddy the Elf comes to life in this charming production put on by the Draper Historic Theatre. Learn more...

Arts + Culture

Local Artist Spotlight: Jean Bean

"Home By Another Way" Mixed Media Article and Photography by "An angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life."   Matthew 2:19–20 Artist Jean Bean was moved by the love Joseph had for Mary and Jesus Christ in these verses, and wanted to portray it in a painting. The title, "Home By Another Way," is representative of Jesus being the...

Food + Beverage

The Lake Break at North Shore

Where Unapologetically Coastal Charm Meets Northshore Living Article by Abi Falin Horspool | Photography by Silvia Borja At The Lake Break at North Shore, coastal charm pairs with the relaxed rhythm of lakeside living. The bubbles flow, the beer is cold, and every detail is chosen to feel thoughtful, welcoming, and just a little elevated. It’s a place where ladies linger on the patio with a glass of champagne, where guys catch the game upstairs with an Old Fashioned, and where families dig...

Sports + Recreation

Honoring a Legacy, Uplifting a Community

The Story of Ski Trucks Article by Abi Falin Horspool | Photography by Jen Fox Photography The story of Ski Trucks begins in 1969, in the back of a ’56 Chevy pickup. His second winter at Brigham Young University, Jeff White started selling refurbished skis out of the back of his old truck… and his little company, Ski Trucks, was born! From there, the business grew into a semi-trailer, then bounced between that and a brick-and-mortar building, until he could afford a permanent place.  “We...

Professional Services

Every Child is Wall-Worthy

Article and Photography by Abi Falin Horspool “When I was in fourth grade,” boutique photographer Jen Fox says, “I was a little chunky, I had inch-thick glasses, braces, and acne… Needless to say, I was a little picked on.” Her parents wanted to help, but didn’t know how. Because they knew how much family portraits meant to Jen, they said that if she got to a certain weight, they’d take family photos. “I finally made it down to their perfect size when I was sixteen,” she remembers, “and we...